Careers in Criminology

Criminology is Important

I studied criminology under the most successful protégés of the Chicago school of criminology studies leader, Walter C. Reckless (1898-1988). Simon Dinitz (1926-2007) was an outstanding sociology professor, greeting us every day with the powerful "Scholars!" and introducing that day's fascinating lecture topic. He taught us how to avoid a mugging by becoming aware of how we walked. He taught us how to walk confidently, like we knew where we were going and could not be stopped, and not like a "tiny woman in a tight skirt and 6-inch spiked heels." Leaders in the field of criminology have called him the strongest person in the field. He was substantial and he was fun. At times he reminded me of a prison warden in a black and white 1940s B movie and his style made his teachings stick to us.

He whole-heartedly believed in rehabilitation and that convicted criminals could turn their lives around with the proper help. Beginning to teach at The Ohio State University in 1951 and continuing for the rest of his life, Dr. Dinitz accepted other responsibilities as well. He accepted the position as head of an Ohio prison task force after the deadly 11-day-long riot at Ohio's Lucasville prison in 1993 and the leadership of another task force on overcrowding in Ohio prisons. He was named one of the Big Ten's "Ten Most Exciting Teachers" in 1968 and was honored at Ohio State University with the Distinguished Teaching Award, Distinguished Research Award and Distinguished Service Award. He was the first faculty member to speak at commencement and national societies honored his research and teaching. Universities from California to Israel asked him to come as a visiting professor.

What is Criminology?

Criminology is held within the filed of sociology, the science or study of society. Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, criminal behavior, and corrections. It also examines society's response to crime and to prevention of crime. Criminology includes the examination of evidence, hereditary and psychological causes of crime, various modes of investigation and conviction and the efficiencies of differing styles of punishment, rehabilitation, and corrections.

Radio and television have popularized the study of crime through shows such as The Shadow, Sherlock Holmes, The Naked City, The Defenders, Perry Mason, Mr. Lucky, The Wild Wild West, Matlock, Murder She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder, The District, CSI, CSI Miami, Numbers, and hundreds of others. Literature is filled with crime stories, True Crime magazine, and others. Crime is popular and detectives and crime stoppers, from super heroes to policeman and amateur detectives, are revered. However, there are many real life careers available in criminology.

What is a Criminologist?

A criminologist in a sociologist or social scientist that 1) specializes in criminology and 2) studies social behaviors. Such a professional examines the norms (most often seen behaviors) and the deviations from those norms of behavior seen in a society. Each society has its own set of norms and deviations.

A criminologist usually studies crime and law in college and earns some form of academic degree, such as an Associate's a Bachelor's, a Master's, or a Doctorate (PhD) degree. Some criminologists have all of the latter three degrees.

A criminologist provides theoretical explanations for the aberrant, delinquent, and criminal behaviors manifested in the population of a society. They analyze criminal law and study crime by analyzing criminal behavior and the methods used by criminals to practice deviant behavior and break the law. Criminologists work with a variety of levels and types of law enforcement agencies to develop behavior profiles for particular types of crimes. In addition, they gather statistics on crime rates. They investigate crimes and analyze the larger criminal justice system and its processes.

• Corrections
• Counseling
• Criminal Investigation
• Diversion Programming
• Financial Fraud Investigation & Prevention
• Forensics
• Insurance Fraud Investigation & Prevention
• Intervention Programming
• Judicial / Courts
• Law Enforcement
• Medical Investigation
• Rehabilitation
• Research and Policy Studies
• Private Investigation
• Psychologist - Psychopathology Specialist
• Retail Investigation
• Special Agencies
• Teaching
• Women's Studies
• Youth Programming & Counseling
• Additional Careers in Sociology

• Court Systems
• Correctional Institutions
• Counseling Agencies
• Banks & Financial Institutions
• Insurance Companies
• Non-Profit Agencies
• Private Investigation Agencies
• Retailers
• Government:

Federal Government

• Drug Enforcement Agency
• Federal Bureau of Investigations
• Homeland Security
• U.S. Border Patrol

State Government

• State Highway Patrol
• Dept. of Rehabilitation & Correction
• Youth Services
• Public Safety

Local Governments: County, City, Township, Village

• Local Police Divisions
• Public Safety
• Department of the Treasurer

Personal Qualifications of a Criminologist.

A criminologist is a sociologist and must therefore be interested in human beings and their well-being. Human beings must not be, or become, objects to them. This is because the object of criminology, as it is with all of sociology, is to make the overall quality of life better for all.

A criminologist must be able to express ideas and concepts clearly, both in writing and verbally. Such a professional must be computer literate and proficient in computer and Internet use, especially research related to criminology.. A criminologist may need to address large groups of people and demonstrate good public speaking skills as well. This professional needs to be focused, creative, analytical in thinking, logic, and problem-solving skills, and dedicated to the profession of criminology and its goals of improving the criminal rehabilitation system and preventing crime. A criminologist must be interested in society as a whole and especially in victims of crime and in disadvantaged individuals and groups that may contain a larger proportion of victims or crime-related behavior than the general population.

Education Requirements for the Criminologist.

Courses needed at the undergraduate level in college for criminology are government, sociology, introductory psychology, sociological psychology, juvenile delinquency, criminal law, constitutional law, and criminal theory. Additional studies include forensics, abnormal psychology, corrections, and statistics for the social sciences and business. Some students also take social work courses that deal with the criminal system and prisons. Criminologists also need classes in writing, computer science, and logic. Advanced degrees are required for individuals that will teach or conduct professional research. These advanced degrees are also required in order to climb the ladder professionally in the field of criminology.

Daily Tasks of a Criminologist.

Entry-level criminologists conduct data collection, report proofing, and computer work, catalogue information about the possible causes of crime and the crimes committed, compile crime statistics and propose improvements for the use of resources. Criminologists also analyze and develop crime prevention strategies. Criminologists analyze the causes of crime and how the community relates to crime. Criminologists may be involved in crime scene investigations, or attend autopsies seeking evidence and information to analyze the crime.

Areas of specialization in criminology.

Many areas of specialization exist in the field of criminology. Professionals may concentrate on specific age group in their work, including elementary school youth, middle school youth, high school youth, young adults, middle-aged adults, and senior citizens. It is unfortunate that crime has worked its way down into the elementary school ages, but there are drug dealers that use these children to sell drugs and some children in these lower ages are taking loaded guns to school. Some elementary school aged children are drinking alcohol and using controlled substances regularly and all of these things contribute to crime in America and the world

Criminologists often focus on specific types of crimes. Some work with murders, some with armed robbery, others with vandalism, some with rape, others with serial crimes of different sorts. Professional may alternatively specialize in crime prevention, crime scene investigation, criminal litigation, corrections, rehabilitation, or the privatization of prisons.

Profilers are particular criminologists that build profiles of specific crimes by reviewing patterns of behavior. They look at particular groups of people that commit specific crimes and build a sort of meta-profile, a combination of the behaviors of those involved in commission of these crimes. Profilers can pinpoint an average age range and other demographics and psychological characteristics for an "average criminal" involved in a particular crime.

Criminologists can place their efforts into research, victimology, victim's rights, white collar crime, the juvenile justice system, forensics technologies, DNA/RNA evidence, and many other areas. Other professionals work in community-based initiatives and among CBOs (community based organizations), government policy initiatives, and other types of programs and projects.

Employment in criminology.

Universities and government agencies employ professional criminologists for advanced teaching and research and policy assessment. Most Criminologists become police officers, FBI agents, or state medical examiners. Criminologists may work in universities teaching criminology, legal studies, law and sociology Federal and state justice agencies employ criminologists as research officers and policy advisers. Criminologists are found in many different settings: airport security, corrections systems, probation or parole officers, drug enforcement agencies, FBI, US customs and other law enforcement agencies. Corporations or financial institutions, major department stores and law firms employ security officers, private investigators or social workers. Some work as consultants in the role of private investigators or security.